I know there are two kinds of people when it comes to holiday decorations. Those that love their decorations and keep them displayed through most of the Winter and those that can’t wait to clean up and put everything away. I am one of the latter. By the time Christmas rolls around I am so over the extra clutter of the decorations and the dried out greenery that I have to hold myself back from pulling the decorations down as soon as the last gift is opened.

I am the type of person who likes to start the new year with a clean slate, which for me is a clean house. So yesterday I spent a good part of the day purging the house of Christmas. I tossed all the greenery and packed away all the decorations (except those on the tree which we traditionally take down on New Years Day).

Over the years I have invested in some great storage boxes for wreaths, wrapping paper and ornaments and I have found these make organization and storage so much easier than the random cardboard boxes and paper bags I used to use.

As great as the store bought boxes are, they can be quite pricey. This year I found some great “use what you have” ideas for Holiday storage so I want to share them with you.

I love clear ornament storage boxes and this is similar to the one I own.

Bed bath and Beyond

Here is a cleaver way to make your own using plastic glasses left over from your holiday party.

Pinterest

I love this light storage box from The Container Store.

Here is the “use what you own” version. Just as good don’t you think?

Pinterest

Wrapping paper storage is always nice and this box from The Container Store keeps supplies organized and in one place..

However, the back of a closet door keeps supplies just as organized and even more accessible.

Tissue paper is usually what I use to protect ornaments and other fragile decorations

but if you own a shredder this is just as good: Shred this years wrapping paper and use instead of store bought tissue paper.

Real Simple

Here are two other cleaver ideas from Real Simple magazine.

Use egg cartons to store and protect small ornaments.

Pinterest

and although I don’t see plastic apple crates in stores near me, they make great ornament protectors if you buy your apples in these.

Real Simple

I am always curious as to when others “undecorate” from the holidays? Are you like me and want it gone before New Years? or like my friend who keeps the holiday decor all through the Winter?

Is 2012 the year to “love your home”? If so, give me a call for a decorating or color consult. I will help you see your home in a whole new light so that you will have a home you love spending time in.